Lexus RC F Chief Explains Why He Chose A V8 Powerplant - But Did He Really Have Any Other Choice?

We are eager to get our hands on Lexus newest performance coupe and we’re sure its going to be spectacular. But until later this year when its going to come out we’ll still have to feed our craving with photos, occasional videos and other information.

Speaking of information, Lexus chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi recently explained in an interview with Lexus Blog UK why he chose to fit this awesomely designed lump of car with a beefy 5-liter V8 naturally aspirated gasoline engine.

The thing is that unless you want to make a supercar these days, the hood of your new-designed sportscar is “recommended” to house a turbocharged engine with a capacity of around 3 liters in order to offer decent performance and stick with the harsh emission levels imposed by law.

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dlin - 3/19/2014 3:06:43 PM

+2 Boost

The only thing turbo is falling behind is the responsiveness- lag and torque curve, etc. The latter can be adjusted by mapping in the chip, and the former can be minimized, at least for road use, which is what these cars are for.

MorePower - 3/19/2014 3:27:11 PM

+4 Boost

The reason for the V8 is obvious:

Toyota is not going to sell many of these cars, so it is cheaper to put a V8 engine in it than to design a new Turbo Six, which you know has to be in development, and better fits the profile of an enthusiast car than Toyota's Hybrid drive, i.e. performance.

w222 - 3/19/2014 4:24:16 PM

+4 Boost

reliability is probably also another thing they considered as naturally aspirated engines tend to have greater longevity

knowitall1985 - 3/19/2014 6:02:14 PM

+1 Boost

The V-8 is smoother by design than any turbo-v6. It would be great if they used a turbo charged V-8...

scenicbyway12 - 3/19/2014 6:18:37 PM

+2 Boost

I live at altitude, give me a turbo.

MrEE - 3/19/2014 7:09:11 PM

+3 Boost

Being the one to lead the US to the smaller engines it is strange to hear Toyota profess larger displacement engines. They really have mastered engine design; the simplicity in variable displacement, valve lift, and direct injection. All without compromising reliability and improved efficiency. Only Honda is in their class of engineering.

JDMUSMuscle - 3/19/2014 7:44:20 PM

-1 Boost

I have driven a number of vehicles by Honda, but many of them have such a low quality ride. Like the last gen CR-V was one of the worst SUVs I have ever driven in my entire life. Harsh ride, uncomfortable seats, etc.

On the other hand, Toyota/Lexus makes some of the smoothest vehicles in the market, it is quite amazing how Toyota/Lexus actually manages to mass produce such amazing vehicles at low prices and still keep their legendary reliability.

autopal - 3/19/2014 9:56:41 PM

+4 Boost

His statement is all crap. Toyota currently does not have a competitive turbo charged 6 cylinder engine capable of competing with the big boys in the segment. That is the real reason